Arts & Environment Weekend at Tremont

Arts & Environment Weekend

April 27-29

This spring weekend brings together a wide variety of adults who are interested in exploring the connection between the arts and the natural world through educational workshops. Legendary singer-songwriter BILL STAINES will kick things off with a Friday evening concert at the Palace Theater in Maryville. Concurrent hands-on sessions (see below) will run Saturday. Our annual Open Mic Night will commence Saturday evening in a relaxed coffee shop setting, giving everyone an opportunity to share their talent with others. Sunday activities are traditionally reserved for spontaneous ideas that emerge over the course of the weekend from the collective creative juices of the group.

Program lasts from Friday supper through Sunday lunch. Cost: $220. One hour of graduate credit is available for an additional fee. Cost for people wishing to attend Saturday sessions alone: $125 (includes meals). Group rates are available.

Concurrent hands-on sessions include:

"Songs from the Heart" with Bill Staines – You don't have to be a musician to explore your creativity through song with this legend who created "The River", "Place In the Choir (All God's Critters)" and many other memorable songs.

"Installation: Solar Possums" with Gerry Moll, Public artist and educator – Create a solar-powered ice sculpture in this collaborative art project that will culminate with an installation outdoors on the Tremont campus.

"Writing From the Outside In" with F. Lynne Bachleda, Nashville-based author – Explore the self and the natural world through the written word.

"Sense-sational Snakes" with Jeff Menzer, Asheville-based artist – Invent your own personalized specie through drawing, sanding, painting, while learning some natural history about our reptilian friends.

"Delight Is In the Details" with Wren Smith, Bernheim Forest, Kentucky – Weaving together art, history and science this workshop offers you opportunities to hone and integrate observation skills, reflection and creation – plus a visit to the land of "fairy folks".

"Following the Thread: Handwork from Fleece to Fiber" with Carolyn Rogers & Sheri Liles – Card and spin sheep's wool and other fibers. Make your own knitting needles or drop spindle and learn how to knit a simple hat or scarf so you can hand the joy of this creative experience down to our children.

Check out www.gsmit.org to see longer descriptions as well as other sessions as they're added in the coming weeks. Come join us and explore your personal creativity at the height of springtime!